It doesn’t require data from the scientific community to predict the impacts of climate change anymore. People everywhere, feel it doesn’t rain as often as it used to in some places while leaving others flooded. There is loss of life anyways, with the slaughter of livelihood and perennial impacts from natural disasters. It feels like sitting on a time bomb. The people least contributing to climate change are at the highest level of risk. It might be a crime for sounding rhetoric but the reality is so.
In the Bay of Bengal and Andaman sea, are the 574 emerald islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Its 38 inhabited spaces are home to about 3.71 lakh people which has witnessed an incremental trend since the last census. But, what makes these Islands unique is their diverse marine eco-system that has found their names engraved in the 31 ‘hope spots of the world due to their natural abilities to strengthen the health of choking oceans.
But, sadly the Islanders most of whom have indigenous origin have witnessed signals of the climate change risks already. Recent years – brought in unrealistic calamities and one of the most devasting ones recorded in human history was the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 when the sea climbed 100 feet and wiped out an estimated 2.27 lakh lives from 14 countries. Equivalent to 60% of Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ population.
With the islands sitting on a seismic zone of V, vulnerability continues. The last century to be precise has seen a 2.5 times faster rise of mean sea level. And for the archipelago with its long coastlines and low-lying lands, this is the last nail in the coffin. If the sea decides to penetrate it will snatch away its deciduous forests, disconnect low-lying landmasses, and livelihood from the people.
But, it’s not just altered weather patterns and natural phenomena. Humans are not far behind in building pressures with ambitious, non-aligned coastal development, sand mining, and reclamation of wetlands.
The apex think-tank NITI Aayog has curated a Rs 75,000 crore vision for the ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The proposed plan grandiosely talks about – transhipment terminal with a greenfield international airport, and solar as well as gas-based power plants and Estimates project with these developments, a double of people will live in the islands by 2050.
But, will the raging climate risks allow that or will there be a climate-induced migration? Like that happened for the Nicobarese tribal after the 2004 tsunami. Islands in the Pacific like Kiribati have already faced the brunt of climate devastations and are calling out to international communities for ‘migration with dignity. Might sound absolutely unethical but migration like such is real, people will have to be evacuated or pushed to leave. So, generations are being wiped out, cultures, lands, flora, and fauna already is at stake.
How far are our policies and practices aligned to ecological impacts and people’s perspective of their homelands still remains an unattended question? Certainly, in a decade of decision making – aligned to UN’s initiative to re-imagine, re-create and rejuvenate we must act too, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
Leaving you with visuals from “Washed Dreams” that capture a snapshot of the emerald islands of Andamans and Nicobar. And wish that it propels you to act as we celebrate World Environment Day.
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